Choosing a Professional Camera

jbetz · Sep 29, 2009

Hi everyone. I am looking for some advice about which camera to purchase for professional work. Specifically, I am wondering whether there is an established line between professional DSLRs and consumer DSLRs.

I am looking to make an investment in a new camera and would like to future-proof my purchase.

Are there minimum specifications I should look for? For example, should I definitely purchase a camera with a full-frame sensor or would an APS-C or other smaller sensor be sufficient for professional work. (I know that "professional work" is way too broad. I am interested primarily in print and web-based photojournalism, as well as art photography for galleries, nothing huge, but I don't want to limit myself).

Are there benchmarks to look for, like sensor size, megapixels, etc? I'm considering the new Canon 7D, but do others think this is a viable option for a serious professional photographer? Up to this point I have used a D90 but would like to purchase something a bit nicer (not to mention I no longer have access to this camera). What are the best options?

Thanks for the help!

PhotoXopher · Sep 29, 2009

I know you asked about the 7D, but I don't have any experience with Canon - and since you mentioned you used the D90 I figured I'd chime in.

I'll start off by asking if you were limited in any way by the D90 for what you do.

If so, in what ways?

Some options for you if you'd like to stay with Nikon would be the D300, D300s and D700 (full frame) which are all weather sealed and magnesium alloy bodies.

Do you have any lenses already?

Full frame vs crop sensor really depends on your needs, in some cases you'll be more limited with full frame, in particular if you need that extra reach.

robertwsimpson · Sep 29, 2009

if you want your lenses to do what they're "supposed" to do, you'll need a camera with a full frame sensor. it will give you the most potential as far as creating DOF effects and a higher signal to noise ratio. start out with a 5d and then move to a 1d when funds permit.

Christie Photo · Sep 29, 2009

jbetz said:
...would like to future-proof my purchase.

You can't... not anymore.

These days, cameras are computers with lenses. Like all computers, the technology changes fairly quickly.

One thing you can do, like N0YZE was suggesting, is settle on a particular line so, when you do upgrade, you can continue with the same lenses.

Good luck!

-Pete

SrBiscuit · Sep 29, 2009

are you already a "professional photographer"?
or are you just planning on being one?

what's your budget? do you have lenses?

jbetz · Sep 29, 2009

I am making the transition from professional video to photography (not that there's much of a transition to make these days). I am a recent graduate, and so to answer your question no, I am not already a professional. But I'm also not the kind of person who wants to step up from a PowerShot to a DSLR and start calling themselves a photographer. I have pursued 35mm photography for many years as a hobby, and am just now looking to purchase a professional DSLR. I have experience with two D90s, one that I borrowed from my school and one that I borrowed from a friend. It's a great camera but now that I no longer have access to these, I'd like to purchase something of my own.

I am looking to spend around $1500-$2500 on a body, and then up to another $1000 on one or two lenses. I have access to a few lenses and am hoping to borrow or rent others, so my primary concern is a nice body.

robertwsimpson · Sep 29, 2009

ICA5DM2KA Canon EOS-5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera / Lens Kit with EF 24-105L Image Stabilized Lens, - with 8GB CF Memory Card, Spare Canon LP-E6 Battery, Slinger Camera Bag, Flashpoint Professional Battery Grip, Adorama Digital Remote Release

bam.

SrBiscuit · Sep 29, 2009

nice package rob.

robertwsimpson · Sep 29, 2009

I'd buy that if funds allowed

Dwig · Sep 29, 2009

#1: Its NEVER the camera that professional; its the photographer.

#2: There is no line separating those cameras that are appropriate for a professional to use and those that are not.

#3: Its totally impossible to "future proof" your purchase. Nothing you buy today will be "the camera" when the future comes. Buy only what you need now. Plan on upgrading the camera body every several years.

#4: Its more the system you buy into and the lenses you buy now, rather than the body, that's important.

Derrel · Sep 29, 2009

Future proofing is impossible, but you can go a long ways by realizing that Nikon and Canon come out with new professional-level models about every four years, and there's about two years left until the next Nikon pro model comes along.

Professional photography is a vast field,encompassing dozens of specialty areas. You do not mention what type of work you want to specialize in, but if it is people photography, I would strongly suggest that the full frame bodies give better results because their sensors are 2.3 to 2.5 times larger than APS-C sensors, which gives more cropping options,and better High ISO performance, and better working distances with the many lenses already on the market.

A pro-level AF system is a bonus over a consumer-level AF system. Canon's 24-105 f/4 L-IS lens is an okay lens, but its edge performance is not very good until it's stopped down pretty well. I don't consider it a professional quality lens,and the 5D's AF system cannot focus that lens very well indoors in lower light--I know, I have the camera and the lens,and it's not a "workhorse" lens for demanding situations. it was designed as a kit lens for the 5D--capable at landscape apertures, but too slow and indecisive on autofocusing in anything but good light.

My opinion? If you want to become a "professional photographer", you will be seriously under-capitalized if all you have to spend is $3,000-$3,500. I
am not sure what the 'access to other lenses' will mean, but in today's market, $3,500 worth of gear is simply NOT enough to take on and deliver a lot of images in many professional fields...many hobbyists will be better equipped,and you will not be able to afford most of the pro standard equipment like a 70-200/2.8 and 24-70/2.8 and a decent flash at the $3.5k mark.

chakalakasp · Sep 29, 2009

jbetz said:
I am making the transition from professional video to photography (not that there's much of a transition to make these days). I am a recent graduate, and so to answer your question no, I am not already a professional. But I'm also not the kind of person who wants to step up from a PowerShot to a DSLR and start calling themselves a photographer. I have pursued 35mm photography for many years as a hobby, and am just now looking to purchase a professional DSLR. I have experience with two D90s, one that I borrowed from my school and one that I borrowed from a friend. It's a great camera but now that I no longer have access to these, I'd like to purchase something of my own.

I am looking to spend around $1500-$2500 on a body, and then up to another $1000 on one or two lenses. I have access to a few lenses and am hoping to borrow or rent others, so my primary concern is a nice body.

Even if you have access to a few lenses, you'd be better off flipping the equation and getting good lenses and a $1000ish body like a 50D or a 7D. Bodies get old fast; a nice lens now will last at least 10 years before you start thinking "maybe I should get something newer...", and even then will have a decent resale value. Used 7D bodies will cost $300 in about 4 or 5 years.

FrankLamont · Sep 29, 2009

(not that there's much of a transition to make these days)

Actually, video's a lot different to photography.

For instance, you have to deal with settings primarily, etc.

craig · Sep 29, 2009

Whoa!!! Outstanding work!

Clearly you have an eye for image quality and all that jazz. Consider a full frame sensor and a very durable body. Make sure you get the camera in your hands before making your decision. Position of the controls and menus are very important.

Love & Bass

musicaleCA · Sep 29, 2009

Derrel said:
My opinion? If you want to become a "professional photographer", you will be seriously under-capitalized if all you have to spend is $3,000-$3,500. I
am not sure what the 'access to other lenses' will mean, but in today's market, $3,500 worth of gear is simply NOT enough to take on and deliver a lot of images in many professional fields...many hobbyists will be better equipped,and you will not be able to afford most of the pro standard equipment like a 70-200/2.8 and 24-70/2.8 and a decent flash at the $3.5k mark.

As much as I hate to say it, Derrel here has a point. The good shtuff doesn't come cheap, at all. And that gear can save your butt in many situations. Low-light is murder, and and f/2.8 lens or faster is necessary just so the AF sensor can focus well (and that's just talking about the professional AF sensors in the 5D, 1D, and 7D; other bodies have an even rougher go of it). Otherwise, you're stuck manually focusing in the dark; not fun.

Having just got my hands on two 7D's myself, I would agree that yes, they're definitely suitable for "professional" applications. Talk about jam-packed with features, and the AF system is nothing to gawk at. I still haven't had a good chance to test the new colour-sensitive metering system though. The only "downside" is that it's a crop sensor; in low-light and close shots, this is a disadvantage, but when using tele lenses and trying to get long shots, it's a definite advantage.

All that said though, it's likely to be out of your price range. :-/